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Podcast: The Locher Room
Episode: Ely Winkler on Growing Up Orthodox, Coming Out, Finding Eshel, and Helping LGBTQ+ Jews Build Belonging Without Choosing Between Faith and Identity | Conversations with Alan
Description: In this episode of Conversations with Alan, I’m joined by Ely Winkler, Director of Advancement for Eshel, for an honest and deeply personal conversation about faith, identity, and belonging.Ely shares his journey growing up Orthodox as the son of a rabbi, navigating the fear and uncertainty of coming out, and searching for a place where he could live authentically without abandoning his faith. He reflects on pivotal moments—from working behind the scenes on a groundbreaking panel at Yeshiva University to feeling disconnected from synagogue life, and ultimately finding his way back home.<...